Some thoughts on #Merkel, what happens next in EU/German politics & her legacy.

1. First off, she will remain as Chancellor for now. She will not seek re-election as Chairperson the CDU in Dec. But this prepares the scene for a fast-track exit only a few months into her new term

2. After the national election of 2017 in which both the SPD and CDU/CSU did terribly - the question of whether or not Merkel would serve the entirely of her fourth term was open. She was weakened tremendously by the last election result. So this is not unexpected.

3. Even more so when you consider that Merkel has been the Chairperson of the CDU since 2000, and served as Chancellor in 2005 (won 4 times.)

We didn’t have time to discuss it in depth on #Newsnight - but I wanted to add - @realDonaldTrump is tearing up the Transatlantic Alliance in a big way: next item on his take-down list, NATO. Watch at the upcoming NATO Summit .

Germany, with Angela Merkel - the antithesis to Trump - as its chancellor will be number one on the take down list. Trump smells blood around Merkel and is happy to play a role in trying to take her down. (See his interventions on crime stats in Germany & migrants.)

Of course - all of this bodes very badly for the rest of Europe and the West - Britain included - as @realDonaldTrump will not only be waging trade wars with his closest allies, but taking a sledgehammer to our collective defense.

Another reason why Brexit was/is such a bad idea. The UK burns bridges with its EU allies in an increasingly unstable world, at at time when the 'special relationship' couldn't be more perilous. Even more difficult for May to push for unified Western response. #Russia#Skripal

1. Magnified by Trump's statement that US will "condemn" any Russian involvement. Condemn" implicitly sounds like it will stay in the realm of diplomacy.

2. So what can TM do? - Some unilateral UK actions, like freezing assets of Putin cronies, tackling money laundering through City (will come with a financial cost.)

'European Press Reaction,' to #Brexit thread time. It's been a while, always good get some perspective. (Will add more during the day). /1

Comment in @DLF, leads: "Britain's departure from the World Stage." - "Brexit is political idiocy. By today, every observer should have realised by now that the United Kingdom will not only leave the EU but, above all, leave the world stage."2/

.@DLF: "Brexit is the biggest political idiocy since the Roman Emperor Caligula decided to appoint his favorite horse Incitatus as consul. Anyone who needed further proof of this thesis has received it today." 3/